From Comeback to "Sun Cut": Sun Yuchen's Crypto Legend and Controversies

When it comes to the most controversial figures in the crypto world, the nickname “Sun割” may be the most fitting label. The person behind this name—Sun Yuchen—has used 36 years of life to tell a story filled with twists and controversies about wealth. From being mocked as a “three-diploma dropout” to a billionaire, his journey is legendary in the crypto circle, yet also heavily questioned.

The Shaping of a Young Genius

Born in Qinghai in 1990, Sun Yuchen was admitted to university in 2007 through Beijing University’s relaxed admission policies, which once became a topic of discussion. During his studies in the U.S. in 2011, he received sponsorship from physicist Tsung-Dao Lee, adding luster to his resume. The real turning point came in 2012 when he entered Bitcoin investing, quickly earning tens of millions of yuan, completing his initial capital accumulation.

With a financial foundation in place, Sun Yuchen began carefully crafting his personal brand. Leveraging his study abroad experience, he created multiple virtual titles such as “Buffett alumnus,” “Pennsylvania University top student,” “Tesla investor,” and “President of Greater China at Ripple.” In 2015, he became the only post-90s student in the first batch of students at Lakeside University, earning the title of “Jack Ma’s youngest disciple,” and was also listed in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs. These moves rapidly elevated him into elite social circles, making him a rising star in business.

TRON Empire and the Birth of “Sun割”

In 2017, Sun Yuchen founded the TRON blockchain project. Despite allegations of code plagiarism, TRON grew to become one of the world’s top three public chains. The event that truly earned him the nickname “Sun割” was in 2018: he sold 6 billion TRX tokens at a high price, earning 12 billion yuan overnight, earning him the moniker “Crypto Jia Yueting.” This cash-out marked the official birth of the “Sun割” label—a symbol of cashing out, filled with controversy.

Soon after, he moved operations overseas for TRON, while significantly reducing his holdings of TRX, cashing out billions of yuan in profit. Currently, TRX trades at about $0.31, a stark contrast to its previous high. He is also a major private holder of Ethereum, with assets expanding from tens of millions to hundreds of billions.

“Warren Buffett Lunch” and Breaking the Circle

2019 marked the peak of Sun Yuchen’s controversies. He spent 30 million yuan to win the chance to have lunch with Warren Buffett, hoping to boost TRON’s reputation, but repeatedly broke his promises and ultimately did not attend. This event drew worldwide attention, successfully breaking into mainstream consciousness, but also tarnished Buffett’s image of Chinese entrepreneurs, becoming a stain in his life.

Avoiding Sanctions and Changing Identity

In 2022, to mitigate potential U.S. sanctions, Sun Yuchen spent $100 million to obtain Grenadian citizenship and was appointed as a diplomatic ambassador, gaining diplomatic immunity. He then used his diplomatic status to meet with representatives from Singapore, Russia, the EU, and others, attempting to solidify his position on the international stage.

The “Legend” Continues

Now 36, Sun Yuchen has become a recognized billionaire, regarded as a “crypto legend,” even claiming to run for U.S. president. From being mocked as a “three-diploma dropout” to a billionaire with multiple identities, he has undergone a complete transformation. Regardless of how he packages himself, the “Sun割” label has become his most profound mark—it records his big cash-outs, as well as controversy and doubt. In the world of crypto, full of opportunities and risks, Sun Yuchen has used his experience to teach everyone a lesson about wealth, ambition, and the costs involved.